Update: SC Braga have announced that Carlos Carvalhal will leave his position with the club at the end of his current contract.

A club statement read: “SC Braga, SAD informs that, after the two years provided for in the contract, Carlos Carvalhal ceases his connection to the Club.

“Notwithstanding the wish previously conveyed to Carlos Carvalhal with a view to continuing the work developed, the coach announced this Monday that he intends to close the cycle at SC Braga and embrace new sports projects.

“SC Braga thanks Carlos Carvalhal for all the work and dedication placed at the service of the Club, praising the professional attitude as he always faced his tasks in leading the main team.”

Clubs in England, including Rovers, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates have all been linked with a move for the Portuguese coach.

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As Rovers' managerial search prepares to head into a second week, Carlos Carvalhal remains the favourite with bookmakers.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed last week that Rovers are on the hunt for a head coach, and a sporting director, as they look to replace Tony Mowbray, but wouldn't rush into any appointment.

With applications from managers all over the world, Rovers now face the task of whittling them down before beginning the interview process.

The club haven’t commented on their search for a new manager since Wednesday’s statement confirming the departure of Mowbray, in which they said their recruitment process for his replacement would begin.

Talks of a shortlist being drawn up are premature, with links in the national press seeing the Portuguese move in to 7/4 for the job, having also been linked with the role at Burnley as his contract at SC Braga draws to a conclusion. 

It is thought that Carvalhal is also under the consideration of Al Wadha, and has experience of working in the United Arab Emirates following a spell with Al Ahli between 2013 and 2015.

Those links have been played down, but interest from England and Brazil has been mooted in his native Portugal.

Carvalhal, who has previously managed Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City in England, is at the end of his two-year deal with Braga, who finished fourth in the Portuguese Super Liga following Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Familicao.

That will see them play in the Europa Conference League next season, having competed in the Europa League in 2021/22.

The 56-year-old is into his second spell in charge of Braga, where he also spent time as a player, with 104 games managed since taking over in 2020.

While all indications were that he would leave to pursue other opportunities, talks are planned between Carvalhal and Braga opening the prospect of at least discussions of an extended stay.

He said no contract has been offered as yet, but would sit down with the club’s hierarchy about what the future holds.

He told Portuguese press: “I have no proposal for renewal.

“My contract was for two years, I had the opportunity to leave and improve my financial conditions, and I stayed. The contract is ending and a conversation is scheduled after the championship ends. I'll wait until Monday or Tuesday to talk. What motivates me now is to win.

“Adult people have conversations, express their ideas and there may or may not be understanding.”

Carvalhal wouldn’t expand on what his future would hold, or whether he wanted to stay on, only to reiterate his plan to meet with the club president.

He added: “It's not a situation to talk about at this point. From my point of view it makes no sense, because only after talking to the president will I think about the next day."

Daniel Farke is a favourite of many Rovers fans to take charge, but has slipped down the betting and now priced at 8/1.

It is understood that Farke, who left Russian side Krasnodar earlier this year, is weighing up his options and keeping an open mind as to his next job.

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